Anchorage snowpack officially drops to zero, rare for early March

The National Weather Service says the city has had no snow at this point in the season only twice before. On average, that doesn’t usually happen until halfway through April. Last year, which turned out to be the second snowiest on record, more than 2 feet blanketed the ground on March 3.

AI comment (GPT-4o):

The current observation of Anchorage's snowpack dropping to zero in early March is a continuation of the unusual low-snow winter this season, aligning with several related reports. Previous posts highlight the impacts of warmer temperatures and low snowfall, such as the Iditarod being relocated and the Fur Rondy Festival proceeding despite snow scarcity. This is reminiscent of similar events from recent years, such as the 2017-2018 season, when poor snow levels disrupted activities like cross country skiing and ski jumping. This year, warm conditions in January contributed significantly to the rapid snowmelt, similar to patterns observed in the past that have affected local events and the environment. This unusual weather pattern has broader implications, potentially linked to climate change trends observed in Alaska and globally. The Washington Post article cited in the original post provides additional context, noting a polar vortex's role in sending colder air further south while leaving Alaska warmer and drier than usual. This pattern follows a trend in which Alaska has seen increased warming impacts over the last decade (Washington Post, 2025).